Fiber package



June 1, 1965' D. B. cooK FIBER PACKAGE Filed Jan. 14, 1963 Praessuze SOURCE- FREQUENCY Pow E a .Z -4 INVENTOR. B II BEWE-Y B. COOK ATTORNEYS. I

United States Patent 0 3,186,660 FIBER PACKAGE Dewey B. Cook, .lohnsonville, S.C., assignor to Wellrnan combing Company, Johnsonville, S.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 14, 1%3, Ser. No. 251,409 4 Claims. (Cl. 242-168) This invention relates generally to textile fiber process ing and more particularly to a novel package of textile fibers in sliver form, for example, which package aids in the handling, storage and transportation of such fibers prior to ultimate formation of yarn therefrom.

Storing and shiping of fibers in sliver form creates problems. For example, owing to the bulky nature of the sliver, the packages thereof are also bulky in comparison to the amount of fibers contained in the package. This creates space problems and increasing transportation cost. Moreover, it is axiomatic to point out that handling costs of the packages increase with the bulkiness thereof.

Others have made attempts to solve the foregoing problems but their solutions have only created additional problems. For example, it has grown into widespread practice to package coiled wool sliver in thin plastic bags. In such cases the coiled sliver is compressed to some degree, and while compressed, the bag is closed around the coil. This method does reduce the bulk of the sliver to some degree, but it is by no means a panacea for the bulk problem. Moreover, when the bags are opened or broken accidentally, the coiled sliver rapidly expands toward its original uncompresed height, thus creating obvious problems in handling.

Another example of an attempted solution is exemplified in US. Patents Nos. 2,707,806 and 2,780,838 to R. C. Wilkie. These patents disclose a process wherein a hot fluid, such as hot air or hot water, or, preferably steam at low pressure, and a cooling fluid, such as air, are sequentially forced through a compressed and confined mass of fibers, as for example in coiled sliver form, to Set the fibers in the compressed condition. This process, although resulting in a highly compressed, non-bulky package, has definite drawbacks arising out of the fact that the introduction of the hot fluid into the mass detrimentally alters the moisture uniformity of the mass, such as by the creation of wet spots, and alters the moisture content of the mass, which, in turn, can seriously affect subsequent fiber processing operations. For example, in the case of Wool, it is desirable, if not necessary, to maintain a moisture content of about 11% (by weight) in such sliver during the processing thereof. This content can permissibly vary within a range of about 9 /2 to 13 /2 Thus,

in using the foregoing method of heat setting, some provision must be made after heat setting for bringing the moisture content within this permissible range.

In accordance with the present invention, I have found that all of the foregoing problems in fiber package formation can be eliminated by dielectrically heating a compressed mass of fibers with the results that an extremely compressed, highly compacted, self-sustaining package of such fibers is formed without any appreciable effect upon the moisture existing in the package prior to the dielectric heat-setting operation.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a compressed, highly compacted, self-sustaining package of textile fibers wherein such package contains moisture uniformly distributed therethrough in an amount corresponding to the needs of subsequent processing of such fibers.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a package of textile fibers of the type described wherein "ice the inherent springiness of the fibers has been substan tially reduced, resulting in the fibers being relaxed or aged to thereby avoid the conventional practice of storing the fibers for long periods of time for the relaxing or aging thereof, and wherein the package contains moisture uniformly distributed therethrough, which moisture is the same moisture originally present in the fibers prior to the formation of the highly compacted package thereof.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which-- FIGURE 1 is an elevational View partially in section and with parts broken away of a can containing uncompressed coiled sliver beneath an apparatus for compressing such sliver;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the apparatus in extended position and the coiled sliver compressed;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a compressed dieiectrically heat-set mass of coiled sliver; and

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the sliver contained in a plastic bag or the like for shipping, for example.

Referring now to the drawings, I have chosen to show, as a specific and non-limiting schematic illustration of my invention, the formation of a compressed dielectrically heat-set package of coiled sliver.

More specifically, the reference numeral 19 depicts a loose, springy mass of coiled wool sliver as formed by the coiler head of a gilling machine, for example, which forms a right circular cylinder of symmetrically arranged coils disposed eccentrically of the cylinder in such a manner to provide an open-ended axial passageway through the cylinder. Conventionally, this coiled mass of sliver measures about fifteen inches in diameter and has a height of about five feet. The coiled sliver N is contained by a cylindrical, open ended can 11 which may be a conventional sliver can. Preferably, the can is provided with electrically non-conductive side walls, and is provided with an electrically conductive bottom plate 12, for reasons which will become apparent as the description of the invention proceeds.

As shown, the can 11 containing coiled sliver it) is placed in an upright position below a vertically mounted, suitably suspended hydraulic ram, broadly indicated at 13, which is connected to a suitable pressure source. The ram 13 comprises a cylinder 14 containing a piston 15 with an operating rod 16 connected thereto and extending outside the cylinder 14. The outer end of the operating rod 16 is provided with a circular pressure plate 17, the diameter of which corresponds substantially to the internal diameter of the can 11,. For reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the plate 17 is made of electrically conductive material and is electrically insulated from the operating rod 16.

As shown in FIGURE 2, a source of high frequency power indicated diagrammatically at 20 is provided adjacent the can 11 and is electrically connected through cables 21 to the bottom plate 12 and the pressure plate 17, both of which are made of electrically conductive material, as previously pointed out, and accordingly, serve as electrodes for the power source 20. The power source 20 is of the type containing a conventional high frequency oscillator, preferably capable of producing a frequency of about 2 to 90 megacycles.

As further shown in FIGURE 2, upon actuation of the hydraulic ram 13, the pressure plate 17 is moved downwardly into the can to compress the coiled sliver 10, preferably to about one-fifth its original height. Thereafter, upon application of current to the plates 12 and 17 by the power source 20, heat is uniformly gen- 1 erated within the coiled sliver 10. From tests to date,

this dielectric heatingis preferably continued in, the case of wool, until a temperature of about 220 F. is reached within the mass of fibers. This requires about two minutes. The heating is then discontinued by the elimination of the electric current to the plates 12 and 17,

while preferably maintaining the pressure on the mass for 1;, additional two-minute period.

Thereafter, the pressure plate 17 is retracted with the result that the coiled sliver 10 regains no more than about 5% of its original height, thus resulting in a final height of about 20% that of the uncompressed mass.

As shown in FIGURE4, the package 10a may be protectively wrapped'and sealed in a plastic bag 22, or the like, to protect the same from damage during shipment and frornlosing or gaining moisture due to any changes which might be encountered in atmospheric conditions during transportation or storage.

Although the action of the dielectric treatment ofthe fibers may not be completely understood, it is clear that such treatment generates heat within the mass itself and causes the fibers to be set in their compressed condition by reducing the normal springiness thereof. Moreover, since this setting is accomplished without the necforth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, al-

though specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

, Iclaim:

1. A package of textile sliver consisting of a com: pressed highly compacted self-sustaining mass ofoverlying sliver formed of textile fibers, said package having a volume-to-weight ratio substantially less than that of an uncompressed mass of the same sliver, said slivenmass when in uncompressed form having moisture therein in a predetermined amount sufficient, but not substantially in.

excess of that required for further textile processing, said; moisture being distributed ,therethrough in a substantially uniform manner, and said compressed sliver package hava As has been previously pointed out, thising said same moisture in said sameamount distributed therethrough in substantially said same uniform manner.

2. A package of coiled textile sliver substantially in the form of a right circular cylinder having an open-ended axial passageway therethrough, said package consisting of a compressed highly compacted self-sustaining mass of coiled sliver formed of textile fibers, said package having a volume-to-weight ratio substantially less than onehalf that of an uncompressedmass of the same sliver, said sliver mass when in uncompressed form having moisture therein in a predetermined amount sufiicient, but not substantially in excess of thatrequired for further textile processing, said moisture being distributed therethrough in a substantially uniform manner, and said compressed sliver package havingsaid same moisture in said same amount distributed therethrough in substantially said same uniform manner.

3. A package of wool sliver consisting of a compressed, highly compacted, self-sustaining mass of overlying Wool sliver, saidpackage having a volume-to-weight ratio of about 20% that of an uncompressed mass of the same sliver, said sliver mass when in uncompressed form having moisture therein in an amount equal to about 11% of the Weight of said mass distributed therethrou glrin a substantially uniform manner, and said compressed sliver package having said same moisture in said same amount distributed therethrough' in substantially said same uniform manner. a

4. A package of coiled wool sliver substantially in the form of a right circular cylinder having an axial passag waytherethrough, said package consisting of a compressed, highly compacted, self-sustaining mass of coiled wool sliver, formedof textile fibers, said package having a volume-to-Weight ratio of about 20% that of an uncompressed mass of the same sliver, said sliver mass when in uncompressed form having moisture therein an amount equal to 9 /2 to 13 /2% of the weight of said mass distributed therethrough ina substantially uniform manner, and said compressed sliver package having said same moisture in said same amount distributed therethrough in substantially said same uniform manner.

, References Cited by the Examiner Textile World, August 1944, (pages 96, 97, and 166). Textile World, September 1946 (pages 139, 141, 216, 220, and 224).

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

RUSSELL C. MADER, Examiner. 

1. A PACKAGE OF TEXTILE SLIVER CONSISTING OF A COMPRESSED HIGHLY COMPACTED SELF-SUSTAINING MASS OF OVERLYING SLIVER FORMED OF TEXTILE FIBRES, SAID PACKAGE HAVING A VOLUME-TO-WEIGHT RATIO SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THAT OF AN UNCOMPRESSED MASS OF THE SAME SLIVER, SAID SLIVER MASS WHEN IN UNCOMPRESSED FORM HAVING MOISTURE THEREIN IN A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT SUFFICIENT, BUT NOT SUBSTANTIALLY IN EXCESS OF THAT REQUIRED FOR FURTHER TEXTILE PROCESSING, SAID MOISTURE BEING DISTRIBUTED THERETHROUGH IN A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM MANNER, AND SAID COMPRESSED SLIVER PACKAGE HAVING SAID SAME MOISTURE IN SAID SAME AMOUNT DISTRIBUTED THERETHROUGH IN SUBSTANTIALLY SAID SAME UNIFORM MANNER. 